WINNER
Arcam has always made high quality hi-fi separates, but recently it has applied its redoubtable design and engineering ability to a range of small, portable iDevice accessories. The DrDock is a beautifully packaged iPod/iPhone/iPad dock, giving a direct digital audio output which lets you bypass the internal DACs. This turns your iDevice into a high quality music source.
DETAILS
Price: £199
Contact: 01223 203200
Web address: arcam.

WINNER
Sometimes a product comes along that comprehensively outshines not just its immediate competition, but many products costing much more. Audiolab’s MDAC is one such design, offering a level of musical insight that’s amazing at the price. Factor in its versatile features, easy firmware upgradability and superb build, and it’s a seriously persuasive purchasing proposition!
DETAILS
Price: £599
Contact: 01480 447700
Web address: audiolab. co.

WINNER
In the great scheme of floorstanding loudspeakers, never has one offered so much for so little. This big, heavy box is superbly built and finished (especially in the optional piano gloss), and provides a performance to match. Powerful, spacious and detailed like nothing at the price, it gives a gripping, visceral sound, yet is smooth and refined too.
DETAILS
Price: £550
Contact: 01279 501111
Web address: qacoustics.

Winner
Because competition in the headphone market is so tough, it takes a special pair of cans to win this award – and Audio-Technica’s ‘A900X is precisely this. It sounds clean, open and smooth with oodles of detail and insight – and you’ll want to listen all day and all of the night thanks to the high level of comfort, courtesy of a clever headband design. Build is excellent, too. A worthy winner.

Winner
There have been countless modifications to the Linn LP12 turntable over the years, but few are as radical or as beautifully made as this top plate and crossbrace package. Expertly fitted, it takes the Sondek’s sound to an altogether different place, with substantially increased detail resolution – without making the deck sound overly analytical. Vinyl heaven!
DETAILS
Price: £795
Contact: 07764 533992
Web address: tiger-paw. com
Review issue: 361
Runners up
Analogue Innovation Sole Mk.